FLEET / SAFETY LETTERS
The following Fleet / Safety Letters have been sent out. Check our website for copies: www.vanuatuships.com.
FSL 05076: Japanese Regulations Requiring Compulsory Insurance, February 24, 2005
FSL 05077: Miscellaneous Information, February 24, 2005
FSL 05078: Medical Report Forms and Drug & Alcohol Testing, March 15, 2005
FSL 05079: Revised List of Certificates Required to be Carried on Board Ships, March 15, 2005
FSL 05080: Employment of ni-Vanuatu Seafarers on Vanuatu Flagged Vessels, April 12, 2005

EMPLOYMENT OF NI-VANUATU SEAFARERS
As an open registry, Vanuatu does not mandate that shipowners employ ni-Vanuatu seafarers on their vessels, but those that don’t are missing a great opportunity. If you have an interest in sourcing trained and qualified seafarers, even if you do not have Vanuatu flagged vessels, contact for details.

EPIRBS AND HEXADECIMAL IDs
Why do we spend so much time discussing EPIRBs? Because we need to continually remind owners that their EPIRBs must be properly coded, and when changing flags, properly re-coded. An EPIRB activation may be the only chance a vessel gets to signal that it is in trouble. If the rescue coordination centers cannot identify a vessel, or problems that exist, valuable time may be lost in tracking it down and costly assets such as fixed wing aircraft, helicopters or ships, may be unnecessarily dispatched to find the errant vessel.

To date this year we have had four false alerts (out of a total of 8) emanating from vessels that had been deleted from the registry for some time. Two had been deleted over 4 years ago. Their EPIRBs had not been re-coded when they changed flags. In another incident, a vessel’s EPIRB was coded with the proper Vanuatu country code but was improperly encoded with a United States call sign.

No matter what flag your vessels fly, check your vessels’ EPIRBs. Are they programmed correctly? Do their hexadecimal IDs actually correspond with the coding supplied by the flag?

TERMINATION OF 121.5 / 243 MHz SERVICE
A reminder that COSPAS-SARSAT will terminate the processing of 121.5 / 243 MHz EPIRB information effective 1 February 2009. But, according to COSPAS-SARSAT Bulletin C/S R.010, the phasing out of 121.5 / 243 MHz satellite coverage will not affect the use of those frequencies for homing devices in the 406 MHz beacons.

FUTURE CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
MAIIF 14 will be hosted by Vanuatu in Port Vila, August 29 - September 2, 2005, in commemoration of the country’s 25th anniversary and the registry’s 24th anniversary. Look for Tom Horan at OTC in Houston in May.

VMSL’s NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
Remember to use our new email address when communicating with VMSL New York.

JOINT VENTURE FISHING PLANT
The Vanuatu Government has announced a proposed joint venture with China to build and operate a fish processing plant close to Port Vila. This land based facility will be designed to service up to 40 deep sea fishing vessels that will unload their catch and take on fuel and provisions thus becoming a major outlet for locally grown food. The plant will also be designed to store vegetables and beef prior to their export.

VANUATU CLARIFIES ITS POSITION ON TAIWAN
The Government has denied reports of a decision to appoint an honorary consul in Taiwan. This comes after the previous government fell when the then Prime Minister announced official recognition of Taiwan in spite of an established “One-China” policy. The current Government has re-confirmed Vanuatu’s recognition of a “One-China” policy. Trade will continue with Taiwan and a Trade Commission may be established in Taiwan.

OECD VISIT ON EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION
A representative of the OECD in Paris recently visited Port Vila as part of the OECD’s continuing program of “encouraging” non-OECD member states to voluntarily provide information in respect of income earned by OECD residents in offshore financial centres such as Vanuatu. The OECD representative was assisting Vanuatu to complete a questionnaire in regard to its current legislation, as it relates to existing sharing of information provisions. Such sharing is currently restricted.

VANUATU AGREES TO A 5 YEAR JOINT DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION STRATEGY (JDCS)
Vanuatu has entered into a 5 year JDCS with Australia which sets out priorities for assistance to Vanuatu. Agriculture in rural areas and tourism development have been identified as target areas which will assist the economic growth of Vanuatu. This is in addition to Australia’s existing aid programs in education and health sectors.

VANUATU APPLIES FOR $35 MILLION (US) FROM USA MILLENNIUM FUND
Vanuatu is one of 19 countries approved by the USA Millennium Fund to receive funds for economic development. Vanuatu and Mongolia are the only countries in the Asia-Pacific region to be approved. Vanuatu has submitted project funding requests primarily relating to infrastructure development such as roads, wharfs and airports. To be approved, the projects must demonstrate that they will assist sustainable development initiatives.

2005 IS THE YEAR OF TOURISM FOR VANUATU
2005 has been declared “the year of tourism.” Outer islands are being encouraged to create tourist facilities so tourists can witness firsthand the unique culture and village life, as well as the country’s famous active volcanoes. It is hoped that tourism, which already provides 70% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings, will be further enhanced when Vanuatu exhibits at the Tokyo World Expo this year. The introduction of Pacific Blue (part of the Virgin group) to Vanuatu from Australia, in addition to the Air Vanuatu flights, should also lift visitor figures.

VANUATU AGREES WITH NEW CALEDONIA ON MARITIME SURVEILLANCE
Vanuatu has signed a maritime surveillance agreement with its closest neighbour, the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. The agreement covers the search for, and the identification of, fishing vessels operating illegally in Vanuatu waters. The agreement also covers emergency rescue assistance for ships in distress.

OUTER ISLANDS EXPERIENCING INCREASED EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY
The northern Vanuatu islands of Ambae and Ambrym, the later with two regularly erupting volcanoes, have recently experienced considerable earthquake activity and have suffered from acid rain from the volcanoes. In 2004, Vanuatu had an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale. If activity continues, evacuation from the islands may be needed.

SMALL STATES FORUM
The Vanuatu Minister of Finance has been elected Chairman of the Pacific Region in the Small States Forum (SSF), which meets annually during the World Bank and IMF meetings. The SSF represents Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific island nations. The Pacific Region will, by rotation, next hold the chairmanship of this international body.